Formula 1 News - February, 2008
FIA make presence felt at Jerez

Feb.13 (GMM) Two FIA transporters on Tuesday arrived at the Jerez circuit in southern Spain, giving rise to rumours that F1's governing body intends to conduct some anti-doping tests this week.

It is also being suggested that the strong presence of the Paris based Federation at F1's penultimate pre-season test is a reaction to the racism scandal that broke out ten days ago at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

Only a small crowd gathered for the Jerez test on Tuesday, but Fernando Alonso's supporters are likely to be in force on Wednesday as the Spaniard begins work for Renault.

Because of the Lewis Hamilton racism controversy, media interest in the otherwise ordinary three-day test is higher than usual.

The British tabloid Daily Star reported on Tuesday that the McLaren driver's extra security precautions amounted to a "ring of steel".

The newspaper also said the crowd of 250 Spanish supporters had been "hand-picked" by operators of the Jerez circuit.

"Security staff were warned to be extra vigilant. It was almost a lockdown in a bid to protect Lewis. Anyone looking remotely like they were going to cause trouble was turned away," a source said.

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